The concern electronic cigarettes are a gateway to smoking might be unfounded, the first official UK figures suggest.Data from the Office for National Statistics indicate those who use e-cigarettes, are almost entirely current or former smokers....Data collected between January and March 2014 suggests e-cigarettes are used almost exclusively by smokers and former smokers....About one in 10 current cigarette smokers surveyed and one in 20 of the former smokers said they were now using e-cigarettes.Over half of e-cigarette users surveyed said their main reason was to stop smoking, and about one in five said it was because they thought they were less harmful than cigarettes.Prof Kevin Fenton, National Director of Health and Wellbeing at Public Health England, said given the number of smokers now using e-cigarettes people needed to be assured of their quality and safety....http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30192181

there's definitely an increase in favourable opinion from prominent figures ... i wonder when the point will come where conversation turns to additional positives, such as what could be achieved by introduction of a levy ...